Expulsion at Hevron's Beit HaMachpelah

Security forces have arrived at Hevron's Beit HaMachpelah (House of the Patriarchs) to forcibly expel residents.

By Chana Ya'ar

First Publish: 4/4/2012, 1:20 PM

Beit Hamachpela

Flash 90

Security forces have arrived at Hevron's Beit HaMachpelah (House of the Patriarchs) to forcibly expel residents. The building is located next to the Cave of the Patriarchs, which houses the tombs of the Biblical Sarah, Abraham, Rivkah, Isaac, Leah, Jacob, the head of Esau, and also allegedly Adam and Eve.

The expulsion has come just two days before the start of the week-long Passover holiday, which begins on Friday at sundown along with the Jewish Sabbath. It violates an agreement between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Ministers Benny Begin and Moshe Ya'alon to delay action on the issue until April 26 – after the Passover holiday.

A source involved in the details informed Channel 10 news last night that legal experts at the meeting said owners were to be given time to prove their claim to the building.

If they were unable to do so, it would be evacuated within 30 days from date of entry unless they left on their own.

Residents said they purchased the building legally from a Palestinian Authority Arab, who has since been taken into custody by PA security forces. Sales of property to Jews by PA Arabs is considered a capital crime in the PA, and is punishable by death.